
MAGNETISM OF THE HUMAN BODY. 



DELIVERED BEFORE THE 



APPRENTICES' LIBRARY SOCIETY OP CHARLESTON, 



ROBERT W. GIBBES, M. D. OF COLUMBIA, S. C. 



" The facts of nature, not the theories of man, are tne only infal- 
lible tests of the verity of alleged discoveries."— Bacon 

" The power and corrigible authority of this, lies in our wills.' — 



PUBLISHED BY REQUEST OF THE SOCIETY. 



COLUMBIA, S, C. 

PRINTED BY DUBOSE & JOHNSTON. 

1843. 






A LECTURE 



MAGNETISM OF THE HUMAN BODY. 



DELIVERED BEFORE THE 



APPRENTICES' LIBRARY SOCIETY OF CHARLESTON. 



ROBERT W. GIBBES, M. D. OF COLUMBIA, S. C. 



V The facts of nature, not the theories of man, are the only infal- 
lible tests of the verity of alleged discoveries." — Bacon, 

" The power and corrigible authority of this, lies in our wills.' — 

Shakespeare. 



PUBLISHED BY REQUEST OF THE SOCIETY. 



-&&>- 



COLUMBIA, S. C. 

PRINTED BY DUBOSE & JOHNSTON. 

1843. 



~#JI V * 



^x 



LECTURE. 



Sir David Brewster has said truly, "Man has, in all ages, 
sought for a sign from heaven, and yet he has been habitu- 
ally blind to the million of wonders with which he is sur- 
rounded. Modern science may be regarded as one vast 
miracle, whether we view it in its relation to the Almighty 
Being by whom its objects and its laws were formed, or to 
the feeble intellect of man, by which its depths have been 
sounded, and its mysteries explored ; and if the philosopher 
who is familiarized with its wonders, and who has studied 
them as necessary results of general laws, never ceases to 
admire and adore their author, how great should be their 
effect upon less gifted minds, who must ever view them in 
the light of inexplicable prodigies." And what is there 
more deserving of our attention than the beautiful and won- 
derful structure and relations of the human body? "Know 
thyself" was a maxim of antiquity in relation to moral 
man. As truly may we call for its application to his physi- 
cal attributes, and say with the poet, 

" The proper study of mankind is man." 

Having lately directed my attention to the investigation of 
the curious phenomena of Mesmerism or Animal Magnet- 
ism, by which powerful physical influence is exerted by one 
man over another, producing extraordinary effects, both on 
his mind and body, I became particularly interested in 
experiments with the magnet. 

It had been stated, that during the peculiar cataleptic con- 
dition induced by this remarkable influence, the head and 
hands of the subject were attracted by the magnet— and that 
the brain possesses polarity, one side of the head being attract- 
ed by one pole of the magnet, while the other Was repelled ;- 



4 LECTURE. 

and that opposite results were apparent from the application 
of the other pole. I made the experiment, and found that 
if the N. pole of a strong magnet be placed near the upper 
part of the forehead, on the right side, it produces, in a few 
minutes, a sensation of "pushing" the head from it, and in 
some cases, a strong repulsion; if placed on the opposite 
side of the head, it produces a feeling of "pulling" the head 
towards it. The opposite effects are produced by the S. pole. 
This experiment I have repeated on seven or eight suscep- 
tible subjects with similar results. On two young ladies, 
who are very sensitive of mesmeric influence, I find these 
results appreciated by them in their waking state — and the 
experiments having been repeated under circumstances when 
there could be no suspicion of deception, I became entirely 
convinced of the fact, that the human body is magnetic, and 
possesses polarity. 

Dr. Sherwood, of New York, in a pamphlet on "the 
motive power of the human system," has given experiments 
of an ingenious character, which tend to shew that the 
brain has polarity, reasoning by analogy from magnetic ex- 
periments, and comparing them with the knowledge derived 
from the action of the magnet on mesmerized subjects. The 
Rev. Mr. Sunderland, of New York, is satisfied of the fact, 
and reasons upon it, in his publication "The Magnet," to the 
construction of various theories, in relation to the "magnetic 
nature" of man. 

The phenomena of mesmerism, however, being still denied 
by those who have not had proper opportunities of personal 
experience of its truth, no influences observed in that state 
can be considered strictly as settled, which are not supported 
by direct experiment on the body in its ordinary condition. 
I will, therefore, for the present, refer to no farther effects on 
mesmerized subjects, until I give you the Opinions of dthers 
in support of my proposition. 

The influence of the magnet on the body, has been record- 
ed in the works of many medical men of established charac- 
ter, but scientific men have denied it, because the reciprocal 
influence of the body on the magnet, has never been shewn. 



LECTDRE. 5 

This is the experimentum crusis which has been called for 
to settle the question, but has never been exhibited. Prof. 
Henry, of Princeton, N. J., who has rendered himself emi- 
nent by his discoveries in magnetic philosophy, in a lately 
published letter says, " Of the electro-magnetism of the hu- 
man body, I know nothing, and I can say, with certainty, 
that no branch of science bearing this name, has an existence 
in the circle of the positive sciences of the present day. 
Nothing like polarity, has, as yet, been shewn to exist in 
connection with the brain.* 

I have discovered a mode of shewing upon the needle di- 
rectly the magnetic polarity of the human body — and I anti- 
cipate that the study of the magnetic properties of the ner- 
vous system will furnish us with a key to unlock the myste- 
ries of Animal Magnetism. 

The limits of a single lecture will not allow me to go in- 
to a full consideration of the arguments which have been 
brought forward, founded upon experiment, to prove the iden- 
tity of Electricity, Galvanism and Magnetism, but such a 
belief is very general among scientific men of the present 
day. Nor can I enter very fully into the enquiry as to the 
identity of the nervous fluid with this power or these powers. 
Dr. Faraday, who is high authority, says of the former: 

" After an examination of the experiments of Walsh, In- 
genuous, Cavendish, Sir H. Davy, and Dr. Davy, no doubt 
remains on my mind as to the identity of the electricity of 
the torpedo, (animal electricity,) with common and voltaic 
electricity." Yet he candidly goes on: 

" Notwithstanding the general impression of the identity 
of electricities, it is evident that the proofs have not been suffi- 
ciently clear and distinct to obtain the assent of all those who 
are competent to consider the subject." 

Whether this be so or not, is not of much importance to 
my proposition, as I think it will be apparent that, whether 
there be one or several agents involved in electric, galvanic 
and magnetic effects, the human body exhibits the results of 



Magnet, p 39. vol. 1. July, 1842. 



6 LECTURE. 

the several modes of procuring these influences. I am not 
satisfied, myself, of their being different states of intensity of 
one fluid, but my opinion should have no weight against the 
mass of authority on the other side. With regard to the identity 
of the nervous fluid, or power, with galvanism, electricity and 
magnetism, in the present state of our knowledge, we have 
not enough facts to settle that question ; still there is much to 
induce a belief of it. 

That the animal body is electric, is probably within the 
knowledge of all who hear me. The phenomena of sparks 
being seen to follow the removal of flannel or silk from the 
person in dry weather } and the stroking of the back of a cat, 
dog or rabbit, are common. Some individuals appear to have 
less conducting power than others, although their bodies are 
generally good conductors. In proportion as they are so, 
they shew the presence of electricity in a stronger degree. 
Perhaps deficient perspiratory function may be the cause of 
the accumulation of it. 

A correspondent of Silliman's Journal states that, " On the 
evening of January 25th, 1837, during a somewhat extraor- 
dinary display of the northern lights, a respectable lady be- 
came so highly charged with electricity, as to give out vivid 
electrical sparks from the end of each finger to the face of 
each of the company present, This did not cease with the 
heavenly phenomenon, but continued several months, during 
which time she was constantly charged and giving off elec- 
trical sparks to every conductor she approached. This was 
extremely vexatious, as she could not touch the stove, or any 
metallic utensil, without first giving off an electrical spark, 
with the consequent twinge. The state most favorable to this 
phenomenon, was an atmosphere of about 80° F, moderate 
exercise and social enjoyment. It disappeared in an atmos- 
phere approaching zero, and under the debilitating effects of 
fear. When seated by the stove, reading, with her feet upon 
the fender, she gave sparks, at the rate of three or four a mi- 
nute ; and under the most favorable circumstances, a spark 
that could be seen, heard or felt, passed every second. She 
could charge others in the same way when insulated, who 



LECTURE. 7 

could then give sparks to others. To make it satisfactory 
that her dress did not produce it, it was changed to cotton and 
woollen, without altering the phenomenon." Similar cases 
are occasionally reported to our medical journals — and I was 
consulted, professionally, by a gentleman, as to the reason 
why his wife should attract a great many fire-flies around her 
when in the dark, and no others of his family be similarly 
troubled. She was much annoyed at times, by observing so 
many sparks about her, and was afraid, for some time, to men- 
tion it, as she thought she would be ridiculed. 

" Saussure and his companions, while ascending the Alps, 
were caught in the midst of thunder clouds, and were aston- 
ished to find their bodies filled with electricity, and every part 
of them so saturated that sparks were emitted with a crackling 
noise, accompanied by the same painful sensations which are 
felt by those who are electrified by art." 

Larrey, in his memoirs of the Russian Campaign, men- 
tions his having seen similar effects. On one occasion, he 
says, when the cold was excessive, the manes of the horses 
were found electrified, in a manner similar to that mentioned 
by Saussure. Rousseau has described eloquently the extra- 
ordinary elasticity of spirits which he experienced in ascend- 
ing some of the higher regions of the Alps. Dr. Madden 



"Who has ever experienced the effects of the sirocco of the 
South of Europe, the poisonous Kamsin of the East, or even 
the summer S. E. wind of our own climate, (England,) with- 
out feelings of indescribable lassitude, not to be accounted for 
by any alteration of temperature, but obviously owing to the 
electrical changes superinduced 1 During the prevalence of 
these winds, the atmosphere is almost altogether deprived of 
electricity, and the nervous system simultaneously is deprived 
of its vigor. In damp weather, likewise, when electricity is 
absorbed rapidly by the surrounding moisture, every invalid 
is aware how unaccountably dejected his spirits become, and 
how feebly the various functions of the body are performed, 
especially those of the digestive organs. This state of mor- 
bid irritability in the whole frame, continues till the north or 



8 LECTURE. 

west wind "awakes," as Brydone has well expressed it, "the 
activity of the animating- power of electricity, which soon 
restores energy, and enlivens all nature." 

In 1835 I was called to see a young lady who had been 
struck by lightning. She had been sitting near a window, 
stringing beads. A storm arose, with thunder and lightning 
— suddenly she saw a blaze of light in her lap, felt hot and 
became insensible — she fell, and was caught by her mother, 
who was near — cold water was thrown over her, and she 
was put to bed — had spasms in the arms and legs. She re- 
covered her consciousness in about ten minutes. When I 
saw her, a half hour after the occurrence, she complained of 
great intolerance of light — could not bear to unclose the eye- 
lids, although the room had very little light in it — complained 
of stricture across her chest — numbness in the head, neck, 
and sides of the face. She had, occasionally, for two days, 
spasms ; but on the third was relieved, and felt better. Al- 
though the room was closed from light, whenever rain clouds 
passed near the house, she felt very much oppressed, and 
when another storm arose, she again had violent spasms, 
which lasted two hours. On the fifth day she seemed as well 
as usual, and had no return of the nervous irritability. 

" In the south of France, there are whole vineyards in 
which numerous electrical conductors are attached to the 
plants, for the purpose of increasing the progress of vegeta- 
tion, and of invigorating the vines. In the same manner does 
electricity act upon the animal body, quickening the circula- 
tion by its stimulus," &c. 

We all know the sensible influences of change of weather 
on rheumatic and paralytic patients, and old persons, with 
most chronic diseases. 

Sir Humphry Davy speaks thus: 

" Electricity seems to be an inlet into the internal struc- 
ture of bodies, on which all their sensible properties depend; 
by pursuing, therefore, this new light, the bounds of natural 
science may possibly be extended beyond what we can now 
form any idea of; new worlds may be opened to our view, and 
the glory of the great Newton himself, may be eclipsed by a 



LECTURE, 3 

new set of philosophers, in quite a new field of speculation." 
Dr. Paris, in his biography of Sir H. Davy, mentions that 
"Sir H. supposed the heat of the animal frame to be engen- 
dered by electricity; taking it furthermore to be identical 
with the nervous fluid — -sensation being, in his view, motions 
of the nervous ether exciting medullary substance of the 
nerves and brain." 

The experiments of Prevost and Dumas induced the ex* 
pression of the opinion, that " muscular contractions result 
from the action of a nervous fluid, which, if it be not the 
electric fluid, possesses at least the same properties ; and the 
analogy which exists between the phenomena of secretion 
and those produced by the action of an electric pile, is, they 
say, very remarkable ; for when an electric current traverses 
a liquid containing salts and albumen, serum for exam- 
ple, an acid will be produced at one end of the pile, and an 
alkali at the other, and the animal substances the liquid 
contains, change their natures. Now this is precisely what 
takes place in the organs of secretion ; though secreted en- 
tirely by the blood, the liquids these organs contain, differ 
from it in their chemical qualities. The physiologist Milne 
Edwards says: 

" The recent experiments of M. Becquerel on the influence 
of electricity upon the vegetation of plants, support the opi- 
nion at present entertained by many physiologists, that the 
nutritive as well as the muscular movements of the living bo- 
dy, are carried on by a nervous influence analogous, and per- 
haps identical with the physical force that produces the elec- 
tro-chemical phenomena." 

Professor Miller of Baltimore, from experiments, has found 
that a stream of electricity passed through dark venous blood, 
will change it at once to a rich colored arterial fluid. This 
effect is usually attributed to the action of oxygen in the lungs, 
combining with carbon, and, according to Liebig, with iron. 
Now carbon and iron are the perfect conductors of electricity, 
and are positively electric — oxygen is negatively so, and we 
know that it is the agent of essential importance to the sup- 
port of life. Sir Humphrey Davy, and chemists generally, 
2 



10 LECTURE. 

consider its elasticity owing to electricity, and during its 
combination in respiration and in the blood, as in all cases of 
chemical action, there is no doubt electricity is set free. 

" Pouillet states that all gases, in combining with other 
elements, give out a certain amount of electricity. He illus- 
trates this proposition by the case of carbon, 15 grains of 
which, in becoming carbonic acid gas, by union with oxygen, 
give out enough electricity to charge a common sized Ley- 
den jar. By this estimate, how much electricity would be 
formed in the body? Let us see — it is estimated that 17,811 
grains of carbonic acid escape from the lungs in 24 hours ; 
then, by calculation, enough electricity would be generated 
by the formation of this gas, to charge 333 common sized 
Leyden jars, which average two feet each of coated glass. 
If we assume but half of this, we shall still have a very 
large quantity of electricity, formed by the union of oxygen 
with carbon, in the various tissues of the body, traversed by 
good arterialised blood." (W. H. Muller, M. D., in the 
Magnet, vol. 1, p. 194.) 

Galvanic phenomena are witnessed in animals. Humboldt 
discovered that the muscles of a frog have contractions exci- 
ted in them by touching the nerve and muscle at the same 
moment, with a fresh portion of muscle. Muller, of Berlin, 
has repeated this experiment several times, and confirms its 
accuracy. Buntzen formed a weak galvanic pile with alter- 
nate layers of muscle and nerve ; and Prevost and Dumas 
state that a circle, formed simply of one metal, fresh muscle, 
and a saline solution of blood, affects the galvanometer. If 
to the conductors of the galvanometer, plates of platinum are 
fixed, and a piece of muscle of several ounces weight is 
placed upon one of these plates, the conductors being then 
immersed in blood, or a saline solution, a deviation of the 
magnetic needle of the instrument takes place ; or if to one 
of the conductors a piece of platinum, moistened with muriate 
of ammonia, or nitric acid is attached, and to the other a por- 
tion of nerve, muscle or brain, and the two conductors are 
made to communicate, the same deviation of the needle is pro- 
duced." Majendie. Joum. torn. 111. 



LECTURE. 11 

" Kaemtz has shewn that efficient galvanic piles can be 
constructed from organic substances, without any concurrence 
of metals." Schweigger. Jour. 56, 1. 

The magnetism of the living human body has never been 
satisfactorily shewn, before my experiment. The following 
one we find in the Medico-Chirurgical Review for January, 
1837, but thermo-electricity is here concerned, and we have 
not seen it noticed elsewhere, nor had an opportunity of try- 
ing it. 

Dr. Donne of Paris, publishes the results of his enquiries, 
of which one of his corollaries is, 

" The external acid and internal alkaline membranes of 
the body represent the two poles of a galvanic pile, whose 
effects are appreciable by a galvanometer. For if one of the 
conductors of this instrument be placed in contact with the 
mucous membrane of the mouth, and the other conductor be 
■applied to the skin, the magnetic needle will be found to shew 
a deviation of from 15 to 20, or even 30 degrees; and the di- 
rection of the needle proves that the mucous or alkaline mem- 
brane indicates a negative electricity, and the cutaneous or 
acid membrane a positive electricity. 

My experiment was brought about by the following cir- 
cumstance. I observed that mesmerizers (or rather magnet- 
isers) after throwing their subjects into the magnetic state, 
direct their fingers with energy towards their eyes, as they 
say, to render that state more intense, or, in common lan- 
guage, to deepen the sleep. I thought it not improbable that 
magnetism (motive power,) which is not apparent while the 
limbs are at rest, might shew its peculiar influence during 
muscular action. I procured a long delicate magnetic nee- 
dle, made a strong effort as if throwing off something from 
the fingers, and brought them carefully to the needle, avoid- 
ing to produce vibration of the air, and to my satisfaction, I 
found my right hand repel its North pole. I repeated the 
experiment, and found it attract the South pole, proving 
north polarity in that land. I now tried the left hand, and 
found it to exhibit opposite polarity, attracting the North and 
repelling the South pole of the needle. 



12 LECTURE. 

I have practised the experiment repeatedly, and seen a 
great many do so, ^nd the fact is positively shewn. The 
influence is only momentary, but clearly apparent. If it 
were the result of a current of air, the effects on both ends 
of the needle would be similar. 

This is an important fact in magnetic philosophy, and 
I think will assist us materially in explaining many in- 
teresting phenomena, and most likely give us the means of 
understanding those of Mesmerism. 

Bodies similarly electrified or magnetised repel each other, 
while in opposite states they attract. The North pole of a 
magnet attracts the South of another, and repels the North, 
&c. Electrified bodies have a tendency to impart electricity 
to all surrounding bodies. The magnet communicates mag- 
netism to iron or steel, if placed in contact with it, inducing 
in the former temporarily, and in the latter permanently, a 
state similar to its own. All bodies may be more or less 
magnetic, but not exhibit effects, except under certain circum- 
stances, iron and steel having a greater capacity than others, 
to acquire and to give out the influence. 

The North pole imparts S. polarity, and the S. pole, N. 
polarity, and the process is called Induction. Now, if the 
right side of the body possesses different polarity from the 
left, when the magnetizer sits opposite to his subject, they are 
rightly placed to produce the phenomena of attraction, and 
for the former to impart to the latter his magnetism. It would 
seem here, however, to be expected, that the individual of 
strongest magnetic force would charge the other, as the 
stronger magnet controls the weaker, and changes its poles — 
which is the case. The fact of subjects putting the operators 
into the magnetic state is common, and assists our theory, 
and the subsequent attraction of the magnetized subject by the 
magnetizer, is a result to be expected. 

A gentleman who is in the practice of magnetism had 
three attempts made by different persons to influence him, 
two out of the three fell into the magnetic sleep themselves. 
I have personal knowledge of one case, where a lady at- 
tempted to magnetize her husband, and he, to amuse himself, 



LECTURE. 13 

exerted his will strongly to put her to sleep, and she fell into 
it herself. 

The magnetizer's influence over his subjects is lost if he is 
exhausted, or becomes weak — if his nervous power is weak, 
he cannot put them into the magnetic state, or if he should, 
he cannot keep them so — they wake up immediately on be- 
ing spoken to or shaken by others. Frequently when I have 
felt badly and dull, the subject would be sluggish, upon my 
taking a glass of wine, I could then make them act with 
more spirit and animation. 

Before I attempt to deduce any practical inferences from 
the success of the experiment detailed, I will continue my re- 
ferences to others, that will support my proposition. 

The facts which I have mentioned being known, the phe- 
nomena exhibited by electric fishes appear less extraordina- 
ry, although the power of producing electric discharges ex- 
ists only during life and an undisturbed state of the nervous 
system. The experiments of Walsh, Fahlenburg, Gay/ Lus- 
sac and Humboldt are our sources of information relative to 
these fishes; the torpedo ocellata and marmorata in the seas 
of the south of Europe — the electric Eel, gymnotus electricus, 
found in several rivers in South America — the silurus electri- 
cus : met with in the Nile and in Senegal. Several others 
have been named, but are less known. 

The effects produced by them on animals are perfectly an- 
alogous to electric discharges. The shock from the Torpe- 
do, when the fish is touched with the hand, reaches to the 
upper part of the arm. My late friend, Dr. Cooper, had per- 
sonal experience of its shocks, which I have frequently heard 
him describe. 

Muller, in his late work on Physiology, observes: 

"Substances which are conductors or non-conductors of 
electricity, are equally so to the influence communicated by 
the Torpedo or Gymnotus, which are the only electric fishes 
that have been hitherto accurately examined with reference 
to their electric action ; a shock is propagated through a chain 
of several persons when those at the extremities of the chain 
touched the fish. Walsh procured sparks from the Gymno- 



14 LECTURE. 

tus, which were seen by Pringle, Magellan and Ingenhous. 
Fahlenburg also procured them by the same experiment. 
More recently, Linari and Matteucci, have succeeded in ob- 
taining sparks from the Torpedo." 

Although no effect has been observed on the electrometer, 
Dr. J. Davy discovered that the electric organs of the Tor- 
pedo have really an action on the galvanometer. He also 
succeeded in decomposing water, and in rendering needles 
magnetic, and found that the electric discharge was conducted 
through a bar of iron several feet long. Linari and Matteuc- 
ci have also communicated the magnetic property to needles, 
have decomposed water, and have observed marked deviations 
of the galvanometer at the moment of the discharges. A very 
remarkable fact is also stated by Muller. 

"The power of producing the discharge, is quite volunta- 
ry, and depended on the integrity of the nerves of the elec- 
tric organs, which are largely supplied with them. The 
heart may be removed, and the shocks wUl be continued, but 
with the destruction of the brain, or division of the nerves go- 
ing to the organs, the power ceases. The discharge does not 
take place every time the fish is touched, but depends on a 
voluntary power, hence it is necessary to irritate it."* Some 
think it has power to direct the shock, as when Humboldt and 
Bonpland held the head and tail, both did not always receive 
the shock. Matteucci, who experimented on one hundred and 
sixteen torpedoes on the shores of the Adriatic, during two 
months, is convinced that they can discharge their shocks 
when they please, but not where. He says : 

"Where the animal is endowed with a great vitality, the 
shock is felt, whatever part of the body is touched. In the 
proportion as the vitality ceases the region of its body in 
which the discharge is perceptible is reduced to that which 
corresponds to the organs commonly called electrical." 

This fact accords with the loss of nervous power in the 

* Professor Ellet, of the South Carolina College, last summer, had 
an opportunity of experimenting with a Gymnotus about four feet long, 
in New York. He informs me that he procured the spark from it, and 
that the power of the fish is certainly voluntary. 



LECTURE. 15 

human body — the extreme filaments losing their power first. 
He made a number of interesting experiments which shew 
that the electric power of the fish increased with the accelera- 
tion of the circulation and respiration. Among them was 
this: He took a very small and weak torpedo whose respira- 
tory motion was at times scarcely perceptible, and from 
which it was very difficult to obtain a discharge. He placed 
this torpedo under a bell full of oxygen gas. The animal 
immediately became agitated, opened its mouth several times, 
making strong contractions, and at the same time gave him 
five or six strong electrical discharges, after which it died.* 

He also found that cutting, or tyeing and compressing the 
nerves of one of the organs, the discharge ceases on that side, 
while it continues on the opposite side. Does not this have 
an analogy with the paralysis of the human body? 

He shows that the chief electric organ is the last lobe 
of the brain, which he calls " the swelling of the elongated 
marrow, from whence the nerves proceed," &c, answering 
to our medulla oblongata, which gives our nerves of motion. 

He also shews, by experiment, that no trace of electricity 
is found in the fish, except when it discharges itself. This is 
very extraordinary, and adds to our theory of the electric or 
magnetic action of our bodies being under our will, and only 
apparent during muscular motion. The very curious experi- 
ments of Matteucci, may be found in Sturgeon's Annals of 
Electricity, vol. 2. 1838. 

In the last number of the Medico Chirurgical Review, 
which I received a few days ago, is an excellent review of 
a late work of Dr. Carpenter, on physiology, which is 
lauded in very high terms. Dr. C. mentions of electrical 
fishes, that their electric nerves have an origin similar to» 
that of the 8th pair in the human body. 

The Reviewer remarks, "Now, the circumstance that the 
electrical nerves in the Torpedo should be analogous to the 
8th pair in the higher vertebrata, is one of a highly striking 



* I trust I may be excused in tracing the influence of facts on mes- 
meric action. Mr. Townsend mentions that his mesmeric influence is 
stronger and developed more quickly when he breathes rapidly. 



16 LECTURE. 

nature. Of all nerves in the human subject, the 8th pair, 
(par vagum) is that which, with the organs to which it is 
distributed, appears to exhibit the most intimate sympathyzing 
connection with cerebral impressions. The influences of 
fear and anger, (which are probably the chief exciting cau- 
ses of the instinctive electric discharges) of hope, affection, 
and indeed, of all passions, whether of an exciting or depress- 
ing kind, are inevitably manifested more or less on the heart, 
lungs, and stomach, larynx, &c, and which derive their 
nervous influence, partly through the branches of the par 
vagum. The analogy is even farther carried out by patho- 
logy. For in hydrophobia, a disease in which the nervous 
energy is in paroxysms, exalted to the highest pitch, and the 
secretions of parts, to which the 8th pair is supplied, are ex- 
asperated into a poisonous quality — the chief lesion discover- 
ed after death, has been said to be found in the trunk of the 
8th pair, where it issues from the skull." 

Dr. Davy observed, that after the removal of the brain 
of a Torpedo, no more shocks were given when the nerves 
of the electric organs were irritated. In one instance, when 
a small portion of brain had accidentally been left in con- 
nection with the electric nerves of one side, the fish gave a 
shock when irritated. 

Muller expresses the belief that, "electricity is generated 
in living bodies," and that it "does not appear possible for 
the various chemical changes which take place in them, to 
occur without some developement of electricity." 

The experiments of Pfaf and Ahrens, reported in Meckel's 
Archives, (v. in. p. 161) among other results shewed, that 
the electricity of the human body in a healthy state is 
positive — that excitable persons of a sanguine temperament, 
have more free electricity than indolent persons of a phleg- 
matic temperament — that when the body is cold, no evidence 
of electricity is shewn, but gradually it becomes manifest as 
warmth is restored — that during the continuance of rheu- 
matic affections, the electricity of the body is reduced to 
zero, but is manifested again as the disease subsides. Hum- 
boldt also thinks, that rheumatic patients have an insulating 



LECTURE. 17 

action on the feeble current produced by a single galvanic 
circle.* 

It was attempted to be shewn by Matteucci, that the nerves 
were electric, but no effect on the galvanometer has been de- 
tected, even when the current of a galvanic battery is passed 
through them — hence, even if there were electric currents in 
the nerves, they would not be detected by the galvanometer, 
unless the direct influence of the denuded nerves could be 
experienced. I do not think this has been attempted, and I 
propose, when at leisure, to examine into it. Within a few 
days, I have received in the London Lancet, the notice of a 
report by M. Shuster, to the French academy of Sciences, to 
prove that electricity is not serviceable in medicine, unless 
it be applied through acupuncture needles. Administered 
in this way, he asserts it may be employed with success in 
many diseases, chronic y rheumatism, paralysis, amaurosis, 
&c. He says it acts by directly stimulating the sensibility, 
contractility and absorbent function. 

It is a well known fact also, that needles used in acu- 
puncture, become magnetic — this aids his idea, of forming a 
direct communication with the nerves. 

In cases of serous effusions, the eminent Le Roy D'Eti- 
olles has also been successful with the above mode of appli- 
cation. 

My experiments shewing magnetic influence on the needle 
only during motion of the muscles, derive additional support 
from the fact of there being no action developed by electric 
currents passed through the nerves when quiescent, and the 
latter experiment renders it probable that human electricity is 
modified by vital power, or perhaps the influence of mind, 
until muscular action, under the control of the latter, is com- 
menced. 

It would occupy too much time to quote the multitude of 
curious experiments which go to shew a similarity in effects 



* I find since this lecture was written, in the "Magnet, vol. 1. p. 193, 
that Dr. Muller, of Pittsburgh, has published experiments to prove 
that the electricity of the body is developed during motion, so that the 
electrometer is affected. 

3 



18 LECTURE. 

of the nervous power with electricity, galvanism and mag- 
netism. I would not, in the present state of our knowledge, 
give a fixed opinion as to their identity — effects attributable 
to all these fluids, supposing them distinct, and all possessed 
by the body, have been exhibited. Farther experience may 
shew us that whether one fluid in different states, or several, 
some vital principle or mind, modifies their action in the body. 
We know that our motive power is under the control of our 
will, and that sensation involves consciousness, and without 
consciousness, there is no will. If the nervous power is weak, 
the will can only make it act feebly, and without a strong 
will, great effects of nervous power are not shewn. The will 
controls the nervous system of animal life, while it does not 
influence that of organic life. This is worth noticing in re- 
lation to mesmeric or magnetic influence, where the operator 
controls the will of the subject, and what his will controls, 
but does not affect the organic functions. Insanity or mental 
disorder deprives us of the power of will, and thus of the 
control of animal life, but organic actions are not necessarily 
impeded. When the mind is sane, muscular motion is most- 
ly under the control of will, if the organs are sound. Bichat 
has clearly shewn a difference between the nervous system of 
animal life which ministers to the mind, and is under the 
will, and carries on the functions indispensable to the conti- 
nuance of life, and the nervous system of organic life which 
is not subservient to the will and does not transmit sensations, 
except when the sensibility of a part is highly exalted by irri- 
tation, and then we perceive its action. The natural stimu- 
lus of these separate nerves is in like manner developed. 
That we derive sensation and perception from the external 
world, through nervous communication, no one doubts, be- 
cause if you divide or compress the nerve, the sensations are 
not communicated to the brain— an influence developed on 
the nerves and communicated to the brain, gives us percep- 
tion, If the power of sensation was in the nerves (which are 
only vehicles of it) the brain would not be of so much impor- 
tance — it has no sensibility when irritated — the nerves receive 



LECTURE. 19 

impressions and convey them to the brain, the organ of mind^ 
which power notices and appreciates them. 

Experiments to indicate that the motive and sensorial pow- 
er of the body is galvanic or electro-magnetic, are very nu- 
merous. Among the most singular are those of Weinhold, 
related in the Journal des Progres* vol. x, 1828. 

"He beheaded a cat, and after pulsation and muscular ac- 
tion h ad completely ceased, he removed* the spinal marrow* 
and filled the vertebral canal, with an amalgam of mercury ^ 
zinc and silver. Immediately the throbbing of the arteries 
re-commenced, and the muscular actions were renewed, 
which it was impossible to distinguish from those which are 
produced by the influence of the spinal marrow ; the animal 
made many leaps. When the irritability appeared exhausted, 
Weinhold, by means of a metallic arc, placed the heart and 
voluntary muscles gradually in contact with the artificial 
medullary substance, and he revived again general but feeble 
contractions." 

"He filled with the same amalgam, the cranial and verte- 
bral canal of another cat, which did not give any sign of life ; 
the animal became, during about twenty minutes, in such a 
state of vital tension, that it raised its head, opened its eyes, 
looked steadily, attempted to walk, and endeavored to rise af- 
ter falling down frequently. During all this time the circu- 
lation and pulsation were very active, and continued for a 
quarter of an hour after the chest and abdomen were opened. 
The secretion of gastric juice was evidently more abundant 
than ordinary, and the animal heat was perfectly reestablish- 
ed." 

"He filled also the cranium only of a dog with the same 
amalgam, he examined then the principal functions of the sen- 
ses, and observed that the pupil still contracted, that the ani- 
mal manifested still a desire to avoid the light when a lighted 
candle was placed near it, and that it listened when a person 
struck with a key on the table." • 

In support of this very singular experiment, we have a par- 
agraph from Muller's late work. 



20 LECTURE. 

"In the eye, a feeble galvanic current excites the special 
sensation of the optic nerve, namely, the sensation of light. 
In the auditory nerves, electricity produces the sensation of 
sound. 

Volta states that when the poles of a battery of forty pairs 
of plates were applied to his ears, he felt a shock in his head, 
and a few moments afterwards, perceived a hissing and pulsa- 
tory sound like that* of a viscid substance boiling, which con- 
tinued as long as the circle was closed." 

It is a generally received opinion, that nervous power pro- 
duces sensation and motion — what this is, we have not settled. 
Sir Charles Bell has demonstrated, however, that the posterior 
roots of the spinal nerves, are the origin of nerves of sensa- 
tion, while the anterior roots are for those of motion. Ma- 
jendie has shewn that "the spinal marrow is composed of 
two distinct cords in juxtaposition, the one endowed with ex- 
quisite sensibility, whilst the other almost completely uncon- 
nected with this property, seems to be reserved for motion" 
Upon this, a theory has been based, that an ascending 
current of electricity by one cord causes sensation, and a 
descending current by the other causes motion — or perhaps 
there is a negative and positive portion of the cord, the one 
constituting the agent of sensation, and the other that of mo- 
tion. 

The experiments of Muller have proved that "the applica- 
tion of galvanism to the anterior roots of the spinal nerves, af- 
ter their connection with the cord is divided, excites violent 
muscular twitchings ; the same stimulus applied to the poste- 
rior roots is attended with no such effects." These galvanic 
experiments support the facts determined by C. Bell. 

The late discoveries of electro-magnetism strongly incline 
to the opinion that motion and sensation are produced in the 
body by it. 

The convulsive and violent muscular action produced on 
the bodies of criminals immediately after death by galvanic 
action, clearly makes it appear that it can cause motion in ani- 
mal bodies, and acts on nerves and thus through the organs 
of motion. Liebig says, "By means of nerves, all parts of the 



LECTURE. 21 

body, all the limbs, receive the moving force, which is indis- 
pensable to their functions— to the production of mechanical 
effects. Where nerves are not found, motion does not occur. 
The will certainly has an influence over motive power, 
while the organ to be moved has its nerves sound — how it 
acts we know not. The will directed to our vocal apparatus 
causes any sound which we can utter to be given forth — 
how it is effected, and why the sound is acute or grave, we 
can only explain as the result of will. 

If Electricity, Galvanism and Magnetism be separate pow- 
ers, their peculiar combination or supply in different propor- 
tions by the pile or chemical action which produces them, 
may account for varied susceptibility, and idiosycrasy, accord- 
ing to the predominance of one or other. 

There are objections to their identity which I have not time 
to enumerate: the permanence of the needle pointing in the 
same direction, unless mechanically obstructed: magnetism 
is not impeded by glass, and electricity is — you can insulate 
the latter and not the former — touching with the hand re- 
moves nothing from the magnet, and deprives an electrified 
body of its electricity instantly, &c. With 200 feet of copper 
wire, and 200 feet more interposed in the turns of the spiral, 
and 120 pairs of plates 4 inches square, the current made 
magnetized needles, but did not affect the galvanometer. Far- 
aday. 

That magnetism produces motion in inanimate matter, is 
shewn by the polarity of the needle, which if placed E. and 
W., and left to itself, turns to the N. and S. Call this attrac- 
tion or what you will, oscillation and motion result. The 
magnet will hold up by its inherent power a weight heavier 
than itself. Connect with it a galvanic armature and it will 
lift forty times its own weight. The human strength is ca- 
pable of raising four or five times the weight of the bodjr, 
I know an individual weighing less than 300 lbs. who has 
lifted from the ground 1300 lbs. 

The followtng case illustrative of electro-magnetic action 
on the human system, is reported in the London Lancet. 

At the Middlesex Hospital a man was admitted about six 



22 LECTURE. 

hours after having taken an ounce of laudanum. At this 
time he was apparently lifeless, the surface of the body was 
cold, countenance pale and livid, lips purple, pupils contract- 
ed to a mere point, respiration was scarcely perceptible, pulse 
hardly to be felt. The laudanum was removed by the sto- 
mach pump, but in spite of every exertion the pulse became 
more unfrequent, and was at times imperceptible ; when re- 
course was had to electro-magnetism, which was applied by 
means of a small battery with coil and contact breaker. One 
wire was applied to the neck, and the other to the region of 
the heart, or epigastrium, and by these a succession of very 
powerful shocks was given. The good effects were very ap- 
parent. The muscles of respiration were set in motion, and 
the diaphragm contracted powerfully ; the chest was more 
fully expanded, respiration was more powerfully carried on, 
and a corresponding improvement was observed in the coun- 
tenance. The pulse improved and became more powerful, 
becoming steady when the current was interrupted for a few 
minutes. The application was continued for several hours, 
and was finally successful, and the patient restored. 

In the last (April) number of the American Medical Jour- 
nal, is a similar case reported with the same results. It oc- 
curred in March, 1842, at Valparaiso. A gentleman was 
poisoned by a powder which was given to him as Cubebs ; 
after the most violent symptoms, and continued unavailing 
efforts to relieve him, "he now appeared to be sinking. The 
surface was cold and covered with a clammy sweat. The 
face was pallid, with a purplish tinge, the jaw and eyelids 
were fallen. The pulse was hardly perceptible at the wrist, 
if at times it was at all to be felt. Stimulants were continued. 
There were no signs of reaction, and the features wore the 
aspect of death. Worn out with fruitless efforts, the medical 
attendants desisted from further exertion. Dr. Page thought 
of the electro-magnetic battery, and proposed its application, 
as they felt justified by the desponding circumstances to make 
the experiment." He says, 

"It was immediately tried, and with the happiest results. 
With an assistant rapidly rotating the wheel, I applied the 



LECTURE. 23 

balls at first to each side of the neck, and ran them down 
behind the clavicles. The arms and body now moved con- 
vulsively, but the patient lay as unconscious as before. I 
now passed one ball over the region of the heart, and the 
other to a corresponding point on the right side. In an in- 
stant his eyes opened widely, and with a ghastly expression of 
countenance, his head and body were thrown convulsively 
towards me, and he groaned. He now sunk back into his 
reclining posture, and was again asleep. The balls were 
reapplied in the same situation, with similar results, a third 
and fourth time, and he cried, "no more." Reaction was 
now positively established. The heart had received a strong 
impulse. The pulse was becoming rapidly developed, and 
the whole surface warm." Reaction continued satisfactorily, 
and there was no farther occasion for the battery. 

"When he recovered his consciousness, he says all had 
been blank, until he felt as if a gun had been fired off with- 
in him, which thrilled through and shook him to the very 
extremities." This was the application and effects of the 
electro-magnetic battery. 

This case is reported by Dr. T. S. Page, and was witness- 
ed by Dr. Houston, of the Royal Navy, and Dr. Barrabino, 
of the United States Navy, attached to the schooner Shark. 
A few weeks previously, a French gentleman, who took the 
same medicine from the same shop, lost his life. Upon an 
analysis of an equal quantity of the powder, 30 per cent, of 
opium, (75 grains,) were found in it, which accounts for its 
melancholy effects. 

The results of the experiments in these two cases, fully 
warrant us in the belief that the post hoc propter hoc may 
fairly be presumed here, and that electro-magnetic action 
supplied the place of nervous power in the human body. In 
vol. 4, p. 482, of Sturgeon's Annals of Electricity, are some 
interesting experiments with galvanism on dogs. Three 
puppies were drowned, and left in cold water fifteen minutes. 
All vitality had apparently ceased— no motion being per- 
ceptible. They were taken out ; one was submitted to suc- 
cessive shocks from a voltaic battery, and restored to life — 



24 LECTURE. 

the other two were left as they were— they remained so. 
Three others were drowned in warm water, and left immer- 
sed forty minutes — two of them were restored in the same 
manner. In the " Discourse on the Study of Natural Phi- 
losophy," the philosophical Herschel says : 

" The principle once established, that there exists in the 
animal economy a power of determining- the development of 
the electrical excitement, (speaking- of the torpedo,) capable 
of being transmitted along the nerves, and it being ascertain- 
ed, by numerous and decisive experiments, that the transmis- 
sion of voltaic electricity along the nerves of even a dead 
animal, is sufficient to produce the most violent muscular ac- 
tion, it becomes an easy step to refer the origin of muscular 
motion in the living frame to a similar cause ; and to look to 
the brain, a wonderfully constituted organ, for which no 
mode of action possessing the least plausibility had ever been 
devised, as the source of the required electrical power. If 
the brain be an electric pile constantly in action, it may be 
conceived to discharge itself at regular intervals, when the 
tension of the electricity developed reaches a certain point, 
along the nerves which communicate with the heart, and thus 
to excite the pulsations of that organ. This idea is forcibly 
suggested by a view of that elegant apparatus, the dry pile of 
Deluc, in which the successive accumulations of electricity 
are carried off by a suspended ball, which is kept by the 
discharges in a state of regular pulsation for any length of 
time." This same idea of the cause of the pulsation of the 
heart appears to have occurred to Dr. Arnott. The stronger 
pulsations of the brain during high excitement, favor this 
hypothesis. 

Many more experiments might be offered in support of the 
identity of the nervous power with electric, galvanic and 
magnetic influence, both as to the production of motion and 
sensation. 

I Jiave not noticed the evolution of light during decompo- 
sition or chemical change, of which some curious cases are 
recorded, arising in the human body, 

" Sir Henry Marsh observed in a patient, dying of con- 



LECTURE. 25 

sumption, about ten days before her death, a very extraordina- 
ry light which seemed darting about the face and illuminating 
all around her head, flashing very much like an Aurora Bo- 
realis. She had been that day seized with suffocation, and 
was extremely nervous. At night this luminous appearance 
suddenly commenced. The maid said she had seen it be- 
fore, and it had dazzled her eyes, but that she was afraid to 
speak of it, as she would be called superstitious. It continued 
for an hour, and disappeared. Three nights after he saw it 
again. The evening before she died, he saw it again, but 
fainter, and it lasted about twenty minutes. The state of the 
body was that of extreme exhaustion. Her breath had a 
peculiar smell, which led him to suppose some decomposition 
was going on. Sir H. Marsh has collected, in all, four cases 
similar to the above. He considers it as resulting from de- 
composition, as seen in dissecting rooms — from chemical 
action, in peculiar conditions, evolving light through electri- 
cal phenomena." We know the decomposition of animal 
matter, especially fish, produces phosphorescence, or electric 
light 

The influence of light on animal development is stri- 
kingly pointed out by the experiments of Dr. M. Edwards. 
He has shewn that if tadpoles be nourished with proper food, 
and are restored to the constantly renewed contact of water, 
(so that their branchial respiration be maintained,) but are 
entirely deprived of light, their growth continues, but their 
metamorphosis into air-breathing animals is arrested, and 
they remain in the form of large tadpoles ! 

Here is a fact which we are forced to believe, which we 
cannot explain. 

When the queen bee in a hive dies, or is removed, do we 
understand how the bees have the power of converting into 
queens the neuter eggs? and yet do we not believe this? 
Do we not see a different animal in the general form of the 
body, the proportionate length of the wings, the shape of the 
tongue, jaws and sting, and in many other respects, than 
would otherwise have been produced — yet can we explain 
how this is effected % 
4 



26 LECTURE. 

I might relate cases of spontaneous combustion, under 
circumstances strongly inducing a belief in the agency of elec- 
tricity in its production. 

The direct influence of the Magnet on the human body, 
has been a subject of frequent experience among medical 
men. I have, myself, witnessed cases where positive effects 
were felt. A lady of cu Itivated intellect and much intelligence 
had neuralgia of the arm for several months, with intense 
sufferings — the N. pole of a magnet applied to it, relieved 
her pain temporarily, while the S. pole increased it violently. 
This same effect, I have seen in several cases of rheumatic 
joints. These influences are not perceived by all, but only 
by those of highly sensitive nervous systems. All who are 
susceptible of mesmeric induction, feel the effects of the 
magnet when applied to the head ; in some, it produces gid- 
diness, headache, and even convulsions. 

The Editor of "The Magnet" mentions that he held a 
magnetized steel ring over the head of one of his subjects, 
while awake; "in a few minutes she dropt into a state 
resembling sleep." On removing the ring, he found it im- 
possible to wake her up, or to control her at all. " The en- 
tire system seemed to be paralysed, the breathing was much 
increased, and difficult, and she continued in spasms about 
twenty minutes, when she was relieved, and came out 'in 
a shudder," like the lad described in the article below. 

The following letter "from an intelligent minister of the 
gospel, well and extensively known," published in "The 
Magnet," presents singular facts. 

" Rev. and Dear Sir : — Agreeably to your request, I here- 
with transmit the facts respecting the influence of the mag- 
net, in producing the magnetic sleep in the case of my little 
son. I first magnetised him about the 20th of February, 
1842. His age is 15. For some days, he was put to sleep 
each day, for about half or three quarters of an hour. After 
that, each alternate day, for about three or four weeks. 

"About ten days since, he was playing with a small horse- 
shoe magnet, capable of sustaining about 12 or 14 ounces. 
In a short time, I perceived that he was asleep, and exhibited 
the usual symptoms of the magnetic state. I attempted to 



LECTURE. 27 

arouse him, and he immediately opened his eyes, but said "I 
am in the magnetic state, I can see every thing just as when 
I am magnetised." I attempted by the usual passes to re- 
move it, but found I could not. He said, "it is the magnet 
that has produced this state, and you cannot take it off." I 
then took the magnet in my hand, and tried the effect of 
making the several passes with that ; but it only increased 
the difficulty. I then proposed to send the magnet away to 
a distant place, but he objected with great earnestness, and 
even with tears. I then persuaded him to go with me into 
another room, 20 or 30 feet distant from the magnet; and 
after staying there a short time, he consented to have the 
magnet removed. 

"I again tried, by the usual passes, to remove the influence 
from him, but could not. He remarked that nothing I 
could do would remove it, but that it would pass off, of itself, 
in about an hour, and that he should "come out of it with a 
shudder." During all this time his eyes ivere open. He 
could hear and converse with me and with persons who 
were very near him, after they had been near him for a 
few minutes, but with no others. 

"He was playful, and apparently happy. In about an 
hour, he started suddenly, and with a violent spasmodic 
shudder, and appeared to be restored to his natural state. Of 
nothing that had passed, had he any recollection, and the 
only difference that I could discover between this and the 
state in which he had usually been when magnetised, was 
that in this, his eyes were open — he had none of the usual 
attachment for me, all seemed transferred to the magnet, and 
I had no power to remove it. The magnet had been re- 
moved to a distant chamber. But he expressed a strong de- 
sire to go to it. I then took the magnet away, unknown to 
him, and passing out of doors, carried it by a circuitous 
route, and placed it in a pile of lumber, distant about 70 or 
80 feet. It was past 9 o'clock at night, and very dark, and 
he had no means of knowing, by the ordinary senses, that it 
had been removed. He said, however, that it had been 
removed, and went on to tell me which way he would take 



28 LECTURE. 

to find it, and said he would not go directly to it, but would 
find it by a circuitous route — that he would go out round the 
house, in about the same course that I had taken in convey- 
ing the magnet there ! But he said the magnet was wrapped 
up in a paper, and put in a pile of lumber, which was the 
fact. 

"I then went and removed it to a still greater distance, 
where I left it till the next morning. He said that he had a 
strong impression on his mind, that it had been removed to 
a more distant place, as I have described it, and that from 
that time he lost all interest in it. This was more than an 
hour from the time that he came out of the magnetic state 
with a shudder, as above described. Since then, he has 
manifested no desire for the magnet, but when it was after- 
wards brought near him, even within several feet, he said, 
after a few minutes, that be felt the same influence coming 
over him, and immediately caused it to be removed. 

"I might add, that the application of living magnetism in 
his case, was in a course of medical treatment for a spinal 
disease, and was generally applied under the direction of ex- 
perienced physicians, and apparently with very happy results. 
„ Respectfully yours, 

Philadelphia, April 17, 1842. 

When Casper Hauser, who had been isolated from the 
ordinary influences of the external world for eighteen years, 
had the N. pole of a small magnet held towards him, he 
described a drawing sensation produced outwards from the 
epigastrium, and as if a current of air went from him. 
The S. pole affected him less, and he said it blew upon him* 

Professors Daumer and Herman made several experi- 
ments of the kind, and calculated to deceive him, and even 
though the magnet was held at a considerable distance from 
him, his feelings always told him very correctly. These 
experiments always occasioned perspiration, and a feeling of 
indisposition. He could detect metals placed under oil 
cloths, paper, &c, by the sensations they occasioned. He 

* Millengen, 



LECTURE. 29 

described these as a drawing, accompanied with a chill, 
which ascended according to the metal, more or less, up the 
arm — the veins of the hand exposed becoming visibly- 
swollen. 

The influences felt by him from the magnet are precisely- 
such as it produces in the cases of my experiments — and 
the paralysis of the arm of a susceptible individual, by mak- 
ing him grasp a rod of soft iron or copper, is effected with 
the same feelings on the arm, described by Hauser from his 
touching a metal. 

The sensitiveness of this boy to the impression of metals 
is well explained, when we reflect that the eye, when kept 
from light, increases in its susceptibility to its influence; 
and its sudden application to this organ, will destroy its 
vision, while slowly accustomed to its influence it is its 
essential stimulus. 

A gentleman of high respectability informed me lately, 
that he knew from personal experience, that the body is 
magnetic. He was a surveyor, and had observed frequently, 
that in dry weather, at midday, his needle would vary when- 
ever he approached it.* 

The conducting power of the body varies with different 
individuals, some shewing electrical influences, and others, 
none — Now in terrestrial magnetism, Mrs. Somerville says, 
"The effects of induction depend upon the facility with which 
the equilibrium of the neutral state of the body can be 
overcome ; a facility which is proportioned to the conducting 
power of the body; consequently, the attractive power exert- 
ed by an electrified substance upon another substance previ- 
ously neutral, will be much more energetic, if the latter be 
a conductor, than if it be a nonconductor." 

This may also be applied to organized bodies, as well as 
inorganic. 



* Since this lecture was written, I have succeeded in magnetizing 
needles, by the same effort of the arm and hand over them. The fact 
of rendering needles magnetic by the passes continued for a long time 
over them, is mentioned in the " Magnet." I succeeded in a short time 
by my process — which I have repeated five times successfully. Whether 
this can be effected only in certain electrical conditions of the body, is 
to be learned. 



30 LECTURE. 

Dry animal matter, as bone, or horn, or leather, are non- 
conductors of electricity — moistened, they become conductors. 
It is not improbable, that at a future time, we may refer the 
phenomena of fever to the free electricity of the body accu- 
mulated on the surface, when the perspiratory function is 
impeded — carried off, as it usually is, by the restoration of 
the latter. The calorification of the body is still unsettled, 
and is open for examination. 

The sources of magnetism would give us an interesting 
subject for investigation, for we know that the sun's rays are 
magnetic. Milton beautifully describes the constellations, 
as governed by the magnetism of the sun. 

" as they move 



Their starry dance, in numbers that compute 

Days, months and years, towards his all-cheering lamp 

Turn swift their various motions, or are turn'd 

By his magnetic beam that gently warms 

The universe, and to each inward part 

With gentle penetration, though unseen, 

Shoots invisible virtue ev'n to the deep." 

Liebig attributes to "the unequal degree of conducting 
power in the nerves, those conditions which are termed para- 
lysis, syncope and spasm." This eminent chemist also says, 
"As an immediate effect of the manifestation of mechanical 
force, we see that a part of the muscular substance loses its 
vital powers, its characters of life ; that this portion separates 
from the living part, and loses its capacity of growth and its 
power of resistance. We find that this change of properties 
is accompanied by the entrance of a foreign body (oxygen) 
into the composition of the muscular fibre, (just as the acid 
loses its chemical characters by combining with zinc,) and 
all experience proves that this conversion of living muscular 
fibre into compounds, destitute of vitality, is accelerated or 
retarded according to the amount of force employed to pro- 
duce motion. This is corroborative of the identity of nervous, 
power with electro-magnetic influence." He goes on to say, 
"the moving force certainly proceeds from living parts." "It 
is obvious that the ultimate cause, the vital force", &c, has 



LECTURE. 31 

served for the production of mechanical force; that it has been 
expended in the shape of motion." 

That the nervous power is derived from a source within 
the body is certain, as it varies with its healthful or disorder- 
ed action — it becomes exhausted by muscular action, and ex- 
cited by stimulants, which act on our material structure ; it is 
lost by continued wakefulness — and intense pain debilitates it 
excessively. Steady application of the mind also fatigues the 
brain and Aveakens nervous power, and rest alone restores it. 
While the brain and nerves are sound, our nervous power of 
motion, (and to some extent that of sensation) is under the 
control of the will, the existence of which involves concious- 
ness in our ordinary state. In somnambulism, in which con^ 
sciousness is absent, some modification of reason, allied to 
what we call instinct, seems to control them. This is for the 
enquiries of the metaphysician as well as the physiologist, 
and deserves our study. It is well known that in somnambu- 
lism, the intellectual functions are not only active, but fre- 
quently more developed than when the individuals are awake, 
and in their actions and locomotion they are more cautious. 

Whether the nervous power extends without our bodies, 
and how far, we are yet to learn. The phenomena of Mes- 
merism would seem to indicate that it does, and produces ef- 
fects on other living organization. Dr. Holland observes: 

" We cannot assert this to be impossible ; and one or two 
high authorities have affirmed its probability." 

The emanations from animal bodies, by which dogs scent 
them in the chase, and which the Hindoos, living on vegeta- 
bles, perceive in Europeans feeding on animal substances, 
shew perceptible influences extending around us. 

The curious phenomena of what is called sympathy, are 
physical results yet to be explained. We know that mind 
acts upon matter, but the quo modo is as yet inexplicable to 
us. Can we explain that mysterious influence by which a 
nervous disease affects the minds, and finds its way to a dis- 
eased structure, as an electric shock is communicated from 
body to body by contact ? Can we explain how, when this 
occurs, a loss of will is the result, similar to the fascination 



32 LECTURE. 

of a serpent over its prey? Yet, do we deny the well authen- 
ticated facts, relating to the convulsionaires of France — the 
jerks of our own country, and the 4000 cases of St. Vitus's 
dance in England ? 

Can these be the results of imagination alone ? Is the imi- 
tation of the wise and good, prompting us to simulate and 
rival them merely, " such stuff as dreams are made of?" 

If nervous power originated from mental action, it would 
be less variable — but we see the mind as strong and active 
when the body is weak — and the strength of the latter de- 
pends on nervous power. Coleridge, who thought as much 
as most men, says, " illness never in the smallest degree 
affects my intellectual powers. I can think with all my or- 
dinary vigor in the midst of pain ; but I am beset with the 
most wretched and unmanning reluctance and shrinking from 
action. I could not, upon such occasions, take the pen in 
hand to write down my thoughts for all the wide world." — 
It is not mind, for we conceive that to be indestructible, eter- 
nal, therefore, not liable to disease and decay ; the bodily or- 
gans through which it developes its influence on matter, may 
be disordered, and communicate its powers imperfectly, hence 
we become familiar with what is called mental disease, which 
is strictly paradoxical. A man drinks liquor, his brain be- 
comes oppressed with blood — as this increases mental confu- 
sion conies on, and then a loss of mind takes place — if the blood 
be thrown out and apoplexy result, it is permanently gone. 
Intense mental action produces fulness in the vessels of the 
brain, which frequently is followed by similar effects. The 
melancholy example of this lately exhibited in the condition 
of the poet Southey, will readily present itself to the mind. 

If the electricity of the body varies, (which experiments 
prove,) this will enable us to understand how sensitive ner- 
vous persons experience so readily atmospheric changes, 
electric influences. In the animal economy, solids are con- 
stantly passing to fluids, and fluids into solids and gases, 
and changes into electrical conditions, and as to temperature, 
are always going on. When the bodily health varies, and 



LECTURE. 33 

the nutritive function is impeded, as well as other vital ac- 
tions, we must expect this to be the case. 

Pfaf and Ahrens have shewn, that in health the elec- 
tricity of the body is positive, yet sometimes it is negative, 
and much oftener so with women. In the 5th volume of 
Til loch's magazine, there is an article on animal electricity, 
with original experiments, by a Mr. Hemmer, of the Elec- 
toral Academy at Manheim. From 2,422 experiments he 
came to the following conclusion: — That electricity is com- 
mon to all men ; that it is sometimes negative, oftener posi- 
tive, and sometimes wanting ; that it is produced without fric- 
tion with the clothes, and is evolved from the naked body ; 
that its quality is altered by certain circumstances, and 
changed from the one to the other kind by sudden and vio- 
lent motion — from positive to negative by cold, or lessened 
in amount by it; that continued mental exertion increased the 
positive electricity, <fcc. This latter fact is very impor- 
tant, if verified. When Casper Hauser held a cat by the 
tail, he was seized by a shivering, as if he held a metal, 
and felt as if he had received a blow. If mesmerism de- 
pend upon magnetism or electricity, the power of the mag- 
netiser may be derived from his capacity to communicate 
his nervous power of motion and sensation to his subject 
— if so, he should control both his motions and sensations ; 
this he does, while his influence over him lasts. 

Sensitive persons are most easily affected by mesmeric in- 
duction — weak and sensitive persons experience electrical 
and atmospheric changes more readily — they also part with 
nervous power more quickly than strong and healthy per- 
sons. The touch of metals produces painful sensations in 
some persons, and paralyses the muscles of others. 

The variation of the electrical state of the bodily organs, 
may enable us to appreciate varied susceptibility to disease in 
different persons — and may also account for susceptibility, as 
to magnetic induction. The predominance or deficiency 
of the magnetic or electric conditions, may, perhaps, assist us, 
with more advanced knowledge, in investigating tempera- 
ments, sympathy, special fancies and antipathies. 
5 



34 LECTURE. 

Dr. Elliotson, of the Royal Medical Society of London, 
says, " I am not aware that one temperament is more sus- 
ceptible of mesmeric influence than another. The same 
person may be susceptible at one time, and not at another. I 
have had a patient insusceptible for four weeks, and then 
become highly susceptible." 

I have, myself, had a case of an intelligent lady, in delicate 
health, whom I tried seven different times without effect, for 
an hour at each sitting — on the eighth, she was fully influenced 
in fifteen minutes, and continued in the magnetic state until I 
waked her. 

I cannot here avoid a quotation from an eminent author, 
Dr. Holland, who says of the origin of nervous power^ 
" Physiological science, on the matter in question, seems at 
this moment to be on the verge of some great discovery ; 
resembling, in this respect, the actual state of other physical 
sciences — those of light, heat, electricity, chemical forces, 
and perchance of gravitation~^which the course of modern 
inquiry is ever tending to reduce to certain common laws. 
It is a question of deep interest already referred to, whether 
the relation here, is not closer than that of mere analogy ; 
and whether future research may not associate some of the 
functions of the nervous system, with the more general ele- 
ments of force and action in the physical world. Vital laws, 
and what we term physical laws, stand precisely in the same 
relation to our knowledge. They are continually approxi- 
mating as this knowledge advances ; and may not impossibly 
in the end be submitted, even in human comprehension, to 
some common principle embracing the whole series of phe- 
nomena, however remote and dissimilar they now appear. 
All science tends to prove the unity of creation, through the 
evidence it affords of mutual and universal relation of parts." 
Dr. Carpenter expresses a similar idea. 
"That the rapid progress of generalization in physical 
sciences renders it probable that ere long, a simple formula 
shall comprehend all the phenomena of the inorganic world; 
and it is not, perhaps, too much to hope for a corresponding 
simplification in the laws of the organized creation." 



LECTURE. 35 

Did time allow me to consider sympathy, cases might be 
presented to you, as interesting and extraordinary as the 
apparent miracles of animal magnetism. 

Having trespassed long on your attention, I will hasten to 
a few deductions from the experiment on the needle which I 
have mentioned; while I add that "the facts of na- 
ture, NOT THE THEORIES OF MAN, ARE THE ONLY IN- 
FALLIBLE TESTS OF THE VERITY OF ALLLEGED DISCOVE- 
RIES !" 

1. The human body is magnetic, and possesses polarity. 
May I be allowed here to allude to the beautiful analogy, 
which the innate principle of our being, pointing to the Great 
First Cause, has to the mysterious tendency of the needle to 
the pole? Our benevolent and wise Creator may have in- 
tended the same power, with which he regulates the terrestri- 
al movements of our planet, to be the instrument of commu- 
nication between matter and mind, and mind and his Divine 
influence. 

When we see an influence imparted by one man's mind to 
that of another, communicating thought and impulse, is it 
mere imagination to suppose that this view may be consistent 
with the mechanism of our moral government? Can we 
not better appreciate the Divine .influence over our own 
minds, when we have personal experience of the influence 
of our own finite power over that of others? Surely we can. 

" Man, the servant and interpreter of nature, understands, 
and reduces to practice, just so much as he has actually ex- 
perienced of nature's laws; more he can neither know nor 
achieve." 

2. Individuals of stronger magnetic power$ can charge 
weaker with their magnetism, which gives them a con- 
trol over the will and actions of the latter, while the charge 
or communication lasts. Persons of equal magnetic power, 
do not produce any perceptible influence on each other. 

Perhaps future experiments may indicate that the polarity 
of individuals varies, and susceptibility to induction may de- 
pend on one reversing the polarity of another. 



36 LECTURE. 

3. The will controls and puts in motion the magnetic force, 
perhaps analogously to the supposed influence of the sun 
giving motion to vibrations producing light. 

4. As iron is charged, and parts with its magnetism if the 
inducing power is removed, so human bodies become more 
so by the influence of others, and lose the additional force 
when the cause is removed. This accords with experience. 

5. As magnets once charged, when they lose their mag- 
netism, are more easily charged again ; so the susceptibility to 
induction increases with individuals.* Once affected, they 
become more easily influenced at each subsequent experiment. 

6. As the capacity of iron or steel for magnetism varies, 
when soft or hardened, so does peculiarity of temperament, 
constitution and circumstances, modify the influences of hu- 
man magnetism. 

The laws of human magnetism are yet to be learned, but 
we are now fairly started in their investigation. 

In the 19th century, k is remarkable that man's pride 
should exceed his ignorance, and that the study of natural 
causes of physical phenomena, reported by credible witness- 
es, should be deemed beneath the notice of scientific men. 
Or as Sir William Temple remarks, 

" When man has looked about him as far as he can, he 
concludes there is no more to be seen ; when he is at the end 
of his line, he thinks he is at the bottom of the ocean ; when 
he has shot his best, he is sure none ever did or ever can 
shoot better or beyond it ; — his own reason he holds to be 
the measure of truth, and his own knowledge, of what is 
possible in nature." 

In this age of philosophy, the discoveries of science are 
daily becoming productive of facts, which ought to humble 
the pride of arrogant man, and teach him with how much 
more reverence he should 

"Look through nature up to nature's God." 

May I be allowed to hope that the time will arrive, when 



* This fact in relation to magnets is stated by many, but is not 
settled. 






LECTURE. 37 

"a decent respect for the opinions of mankind" will protect 
students of science from the discouraging and illiberal course 
pursued towards them, by those whose position in communi- 
ties, gives them the opportunity of a ridicule, which too 
often destroys their ability to add to the common stock of 
human knowledge. 

It is ungenerous, it is unjust, it is unwise, to heap unmeri- 
ted censure and charges of insanity or collusion with impos- 
ture upon those, whose interest is in the common advance- 
ment of science, and whose enthusiasm is necessary in the 
mechanism of scientific enquiry to supply the place of self 
interest, which is the great impelling power in the ordinary 
pursuits of life. 

To such as are engaged in the study of truth I would 
say, in conclusion, in the language of one whose intellect 
has had a powerful influence on the world, 

" Crafty men contemn studies, simple men admire, and 
wise men use them" — and to those who oppose them, "read 
not to contradict and confute, nor to believe and take for 
granted, but to weigh and consider." 



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